The best SSH client is the one that fits your operating system and how many servers you manage, from a single website host to dozens of machines. Look at session management, key handling, file transfer and whether it syncs between devices. Ten clients follow in no particular order, plus how to connect securely.
SSH lets you log in to a remote server and run commands over an encrypted connection. If you've ever been asked by a host to 'SSH in', this is what they meant. Website owners use it to manage hosting, developers use it to deploy code and admins use it to look after fleets of machines.
The ten clients below are listed alphabetically and in no particular order, from classic free tools to polished apps that sync across devices. Each description comes from the client's own website, plans page or code repository, re-checked today. If you run a WordPress site, my look at how many websites use WordPress shows why so many site owners end up on a server.
SSH clients compared
In the free plan column, Yes means the client's own site or repository describes a free version, free use or open source code, Trial only means a time-limited trial or evaluation and No means neither is stated. Premium editions usually add sync, team sharing or professional support.
| Tool | Type | Good for | Free plan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bitvise SSH Client | Windows SSH client | Tunnelling and SFTP on Windows | Yes |
| Blink Shell | iPad terminal | Serious work from an iPad | Trial only |
| KiTTY | Extended classic client | Extra features on a familiar base | Yes |
| MobaXterm | All-in-one toolbox | Tabs, X server and SFTP browser | Yes |
| Prompt | Apple SSH client | Polished SSH on Apple devices | No |
| PuTTY | Classic SSH client | Lightweight connections on any PC | Yes |
| Royal TSX | Connection manager | Many connection types in one place | Yes |
| SecureCRT | Professional terminal | Scripting and session management | Trial only |
| Tabby | Modern terminal | A modern look on every OS | Yes |
| Termius | Cross-device client | Hosts synced across devices | Yes |
Ten SSH clients
Bitvise SSH Client
Best for: Windows users who want terminal, SFTP and port forwarding in one free client with a graphical setup.
Blink Shell
Best for: Developers who want to work on servers from an iPad with a keyboard and fast, stable connections.
KiTTY
Best for: Long-time PuTTY users who want saved passwords, session filters and other extras on the same familiar base.
MobaXterm
Best for: Windows admins juggling many servers who want tabs, a graphical SFTP browser and an X server built in.
Prompt
Best for: Mac and iPhone users who want a polished SSH client with keys and favourites synced across devices.
PuTTY
Best for: Anyone who needs a small, dependable SSH client on Windows, including older or locked-down work PCs.
Royal TSX
Best for: Consultants managing SSH, remote desktop and web connections for many clients from one organised app.
SecureCRT
Best for: Network engineers who rely on scripting, session management and serial connections every working day.
Tabby
Best for: Developers who want the same modern, themeable terminal and SSH manager on Windows, Mac and Linux.
Termius
Best for: Freelancers and small teams who want saved hosts and keys synced between laptop and phone.
Windows may already have what you need
Many Windows users install a client out of habit. Microsoft Learn says OpenSSH for Windows needs a device running at least Windows Server 2019 or Windows 10 (build 1809), and that it encrypts all traffic between client and server.
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What that means for you: on a current Windows PC you can often connect from the terminal without extra software. Add a dedicated client when you want saved sessions, tabs, a file browser or keys synced to other devices.
Classic clients, all-in-one toolboxes or synced apps?
Classic clients are small, fast and free, and they're still everywhere because they just work. All-in-one toolboxes add tabs, file transfer, tunnelling and other protocols, which suits admins managing many machines. Synced apps keep hosts and keys available on laptop, phone and tablet, which suits freelancers on the move.
If you only log in to one host now and then, the simplest option is usually best. You can always add a fancier client later, and your keys will work in any of them.
Connecting securely
- Use SSH keys instead of passwords where you can.
- Protect your private key with a passphrase.
- Check the server's fingerprint the first time you connect.
- Keep your client up to date.
- Don't save passwords on shared or work computers.
- Remove old keys from servers when people leave.
Features worth checking
- Session manager. Save hosts, users and keys for one-click connections.
- File transfer. A built-in browser for SFTP saves switching apps.
- Tabs and split panes. Useful when you work on several servers at once.
- Port forwarding. Reach services that aren't exposed to the internet.
Keeping server access tidy
As a business grows, so does the list of people with server access. Keep a simple record of who has keys to which machines and review it every few months. It's a dull job, but it's the one that stops a former contractor still having access years later. My notes on keeping your team's software secure and updated cover the wider habits that keep servers safe.
Do you make an SSH client? Tool makers can ask to be considered for a featured place on this list.
My plain advice on choosing an SSH client
Start with what your system already offers and add a client when you feel the pain of typing the same connection details again and again. If you live on Windows and manage a few servers, a free toolbox with tabs and file transfer is hard to beat. If you switch between laptop and phone, a synced app saves time.
Security matters more than features. Use keys, protect them with a passphrase and keep the client updated; a lovely interface won't help if your key leaks.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best SSH client?
It depends on your system and workload: classic free clients for occasional use, toolboxes for admins and synced apps for multi-device work.
Is there a free SSH client for Windows?
Yes. Several clients here are free, and Microsoft Learn says OpenSSH for Windows works on Windows 10 (build 1809) and later.
Do I need an SSH client on a Mac?
Macs include a terminal with SSH; a dedicated client adds saved sessions, tabs and sync.
Can I use SSH from an iPad or iPhone?
Yes. Some clients here run on iOS and iPadOS.
Are SSH keys safer than passwords?
Generally yes, especially when the key is protected with a passphrase.
What's the difference between SSH and SFTP?
SSH runs commands on a server; SFTP transfers files over an SSH connection.
